Magath confirmed he would walk away from the Wolves at the end of the season having "reached all the goals" he set when he took over nearly two years ago.

The 55-year-old reached an agreement with Wolfsburg to terminate his contract a year early and has signed a four-year deal with Schalke from July 1.

Wolfsburg lead the Bundesliga by three points from Bayern Munich with four games remaining, but Magath happily concedes his head was turned by the approach from Schalke, a club with more tradition, ambition and, crucially, financial clout.

"We are in professional sport and it is all about money," Magath admitted. "Everything else is a load of tosh."

Magath is braced for a backlash over his decision from Wolfsburg fans, many of whom have expressed their disapproval on Internet forums.

The mood of the supporters may improve if Magath leaves the club as champions for the first time in their history, but even that prospect was not enough to make him stay, the coach admitting success would not have guaranteed his future at the club.

"Wolfsburg is not the first club I have taken forwards," he said. "But in the past, I have often been shoved out of the door after a successful start.

"From this experience, I no longer believe in promises that you can work long-term in football."

The Wolves travel to Stuttgart this weekend before facing Borussia Dortmund, Hannover and Werder Bremen in their remaining fixtures.